A clatch of boffins

It's officially been a week here living in the tenth arrondissement. Turns out the apartment, which Jacob and I refer fondly to as 'The Servant Quarter's', remains despairingly chilly and damp throughout the entire day, despite the few rays that are caught in the courtyard. Trouble is we're the ground floor out of about five stories, so I suppose there is enough time for all the warmth to escape before it manages to tease us in the dungeon.

Okay. It's not as terrible as I describe it; we do have running, hot water, privacy, and a mini-fridge. If anyone has good receipes for microwave or hot plate cooking, we'd be much obliged. :) The ambiance of living in 'The Servant Quarter's' is exaggerated by grocery shopping and living in Paris on a rather tight budget. A few days ago, we calculated that it's plausible to eat a balanced meal for 1,25euros, provided one shops wisely at the local supermarché. We did manage to spring for the best strawberries I've eaten in years and my favorite: a bottle of cidre (carbonated apple juice, 2% alcohol). A whole bottle only costs a euro!

Last Tuesday, I met with my supervisor on Marne-la-vallee's campus. Madame Alamichel was extremely helpful. Everyone knew about my visa mishap with the ANAEM and offered their support in catching me up. It's comforting to know that I have a small support-base of French English teachers, but the bureaucratic hoops continue to line up.

Though classes start on Monday (I only have classes Tuesday and Wednesday, lucky me), I still haven't received a copy of my contract, nor an employee identification card from the university. This poses me several problems: one must prove (with a copy of one's contract) that you have a job in order to open a bank account, receive my carte de sejour (an extension of my visa which makes me legal in France), get a metro pass to go to work in the first place, and sign up for health insurance.

BUT, this seems to be nothing new to the French. They expect delays, long-lines, yet seem to have an surprising amount of faith that things will (eventually) get done. And to my utter amazement, they do. For those who know me well, you know I color code my classes, make constant 'To Do' lists, fight against procrastination, and may be generally O.C.D. about various things. This is not French, nor does this mindset function well in a French system.

I will have an estimated 100-150 students total amongst seven classes this semester. I've been told there is no attendance list for any of them, only rough estimates. Students may come and go as they please. Many (according to les anglicistes, the other English teachers as they like to be called) will attend the first two or three weeks, then decide they don't want to be in class, drop out, and perhaps show up for the final, which I am obliged to administer to them. In France, everyone has a right to a test. Anyone who shows up to my finals must be given a test and be graded, even if they never attended a single class. In an odd way, this makes me feel less nervous about my first experience teaching because myself and the students are possibly on par as far as how prepared we may be for the semester. The figure has also been tossed about that I shouldn't be surprised if 70% of my students fail their first semester. Seems like a disheartening figure, but the French see it as a way to weed out the bad students. Public universities in France are inexpensive and basically open to all, so everyone goes after high-school though they won't end up staying for the 3-4 years to get their license (bachelor's).

So, with what little time I have to impress some education, English and inspiration on these students I hope to use wisely. There are minimal guidelines for classes. Just general themes to follow to make the students speak English and expand vocabulary. I'd like to incorporate the American Presidential Race in my classes, but I'm not sure how I will work it into the syllabus.

After a week in 'The Servant Quarter's', Jacob and I are going a wee stir crazy, but I try to avoid it by reading outside by the canal and hunting down local flea markets. If you are keeping up on reading this, congrats on coming this far. I promise to post a tour soon of 'The Servant Quarter's'.